An image processing apparatus is provided which can output an image from which only specific image information can be positively detected when the specific image information used to prohibit copying of image information is added to image data. The present invention includes a specific image information adding portion that adds specific image information representing a specific image to image data when image processing is performed for input image data and a specific image information setting portion that sets a color and/or number of the specific image information.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An image processing apparatus that performs image processing for input image data to output an image, the apparatus comprising: a specific image information adding portion that adds specific image information to control unauthorized copying of the image, said specific image information representing a specific image to the image data when the image processing is performed for the image data; a specific image information setting portion that sets a color and number of the specific image information; and a plurality of image data input paths that input the image data subjected to the image processing, wherein the specific image information setting portion sets the color and number of the specific image information in advance for each of the plurality of the image data input paths.
2. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the specific image information setting portion includes an additional property selecting portion that allows a user to select a color and number of the specific image information.
3. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the specific image information setting portion varies and sets a size of the specific image information depending on the setting of the color and number of the specific image information.
4. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the specific image information setting portion includes a position selecting portion that allows a user to select a position to which the specific image information is added.
5. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the specific image information adding portion adds a plurality of sets of the specific image information and wherein the plurality of sets of the specific image information is information including each set of the specific image information located at predetermined intervals.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 2, 2006
December 28, 2010
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